Here is an article from the NASA Tech briefs I receive: RESEARCH NEWS According to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the number of engineering doctorates awarded -- following a peak of more than 6,300 in 1996 -- stands at some 5,500 in 2001. Just 41 percent of the 2001 engineering degrees went to U.S. citizens. The report also notes that for the first time in nine years, the total number of doctoral degrees awarded by U.S. universities dropped to below 41,000. U.S. citizens earned almost 70 percent of the doctorates in all science and engineering fields for 2001. In all areas of science and engineering, 25,500 doctorates were awarded in 2001, down from a high of 27,300 in 1998. Forty one percent of the 2001 physics degrees went to non- U.S. citizens. In physics, a 23-percent decline in doctorate degrees from 1994 through 2001 was recorded, as was a 12-percent decline in chemistry. Only earth, atmospheric, and ocean sciences showed increases in doctorate awards. For the complete NSF report on the 2001 science and engineering doctorate awards, go to: http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20030109A3 ----------------------- I thought it was interesting and the stats in the full report. I noticed that when I graduated with my doctorate in '94 from NSU that only 70 doctorates nationwide were awarded in the field that year. NSU had a good share of them. John
Very interesting. The percentage of law doctorates (JSD, SJD, DCL) granted to U.S. citizens out of the total number granted by U.S. schools has slowly risen to about 20% in recent years. The remaining 80% go to foreign law professors or scholars. Half of U.S. law doctorate programs either cater mostly to foreigners or are actually CLOSED to U.S. students. Perhaps these doctorates in law or engineering just aren't sufficiently useful to attract U.S. students? Nosborne, JD
lack of Interest I suspect you are correct concerning the interest level in engineering doctorates. If you want to be in academia, the doctorate is essential since there are far more candidates seeking positions than positions available. Campus visits by industy recruiters are usually geared toward BS level with some interest in Masters holders for hot areas. I can't recall the last time in industry I saw an job ad specifying an engineering doctorate for a position. All one needs in engineering to complete licensure process is a BS. The PE is the meal ticket for a lot of Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical engineers. Dick
Re: lack of Interest In my business (aerospace) there is a continous for people with engineering doctorates. I suspect the shortage of engineering doctorates is associated with the opportunity cost. Once one has a B.Eng (or equiv one can earn more than $250,000 over the six years it would take to earn a doctorate. It is pretty difficult to pursue a part time Ph.D. in engineering while working a full time job even when ones company will pay for tuition.
